Carlingford Lough Ferry Suspended for All of 2026, Impacting Cross-Border Tourism
The Carlingford Lough ferry, linking counties Louth and Down, is suspended for all of 2026, with no resumption date given. This impacts cross-border tourism, concerning local officials like Fiona Mhic Conchoille, who seek to mitigate economic losses and restore the service.
The Carlingford Lough ferry service, connecting counties Louth and Down, has been suspended for all of 2026. A notice on the ferry’s website confirmed no sailings would operate between Greenore, Co Louth, and Greencastle, Co Down, during the entire year.
The company stated that tickets with outstanding trips valid for 2024 would have their expiry dates extended for use upon the ferry’s return, though no timeline for resumption was provided. Launched in 2017, the ferry was a key cross-border tourism project linking the Cooley Peninsula and Mourne Mountains regions.
Dundalk-Carlingford councillor Fiona Mhic Conchoille described the ferry as a «positive example of cross-border tourism cooperation» and expressed concern that its absence would be felt across the wider area. She noted that local representatives were not given a reason for the suspension, whether commercial or operational, and there is uncertainty regarding its permanence.
Mhic Conchoille emphasized the priority of ensuring the region does not suffer economically or in tourism, hoping local authorities will engage with operators to restore the service, which included popular sunset cruises.